Australia bank on their vast experience of the big occasion to lift them to a new level of performance today and retain the World Cup with victory over India at The Wanderers.

Australia bank on their vast experience of the big occasion to lift them to a new level of performance today and retain the World Cup with victory over India at The Wanderers.

While India have attempted to take the excitement out of their build-up to the biggest match of their lives, many of Australia's squad have experienced it all before.

There are five members of their 1999 line-up - Ricky Ponting, Darren Lehmann, Adam Gilchrist, Michael Bevan and Glenn McGrath - who are likely to be involved today, having already enjoyed the special feeling of winning the World Cup.

They even have three members of the side beaten by Sri Lanka in the 1996 final - Ponting, Bevan and McGrath - ready to dispense advice should any of the current squad get too tense or nervous as the hours tick by.

It is that wealth of experience within the squad which captain

Ponting hopes will enable them to claim a 17th successive one-day international victory and become the first side since the West Indies in 1975 and 1979 to mount a successful defence.

"It helps having those guys around," enthused Ponting.

"We've got five players in this team who played last time, and some of us have played in two World Cup finals.

"We know what it takes to win a World Cup because a lot of us have been there before. The pressure

this week's been good. Everyone has really enjoyed the build-up, our preparation has been good, and we're just looking forward to getting out there now.

"It's been preparation as normal for us. We've tried to keep a closed lid on things and try not to let the guys get too carried away with being in a World Cup final.

"Although there are a few guys who have been there before, there are also a few guys who haven't."

Quite apart from the vast experience they boast within the squad, Australia are also hoping the size of the occasion can inspire them to an improved level of performance - having struggled at times en-route to the final, notably against Pakistan, England and, during their semi-final, against Sri Lanka.

"We do tend to go to another level in big games," claimed skipper Ponting.

"You get a bit more pumped. There's more excitement in the air for a World Cup final, and I think everyone's going to be a little more on edge and a bit more nervous than normal.

"The good thing about this side is that when we have been in trouble during the tournament and when there have been big games and big tournaments before we've been able to lift our game to the next level."

Among those who seem to be especially lifted by the big occasions is fast bowler Brett Lee - looking for the four wickets which will see him overhaul Chaminda Vaas' tally of 23 to finish the tournament as the leading wicket-taker.

"I'm sure Brett will be pumped up," added Ponting.

"He's been pumped for every game he's played, as you can probably tell by the way he's bowled in this tournament.

"He's bowled extremely well, he's done damage at the start with the new ball and he's done damage with the old ball as well.

"When someone is bowling as fast and as well as he is I think every batting order in world cricket is susceptible to that at some stage."

Damien Martyn, who was forced to sit out the semi-final victory after sustaining a fractured right index finger, played a full part in yesterday's practice and is expected to replace all-rounder Ian Harvey in the Australian line-up.

Andy Bichel, one of the main contributors to Australia's success during the tournament, is expected to retain his place despite sustaining a sore right shoulder in practice on Thursday.